PORT ADELAIDE recruiting manager Blair Hartley says the club will resist the temptation to select a player on a 'needs' basis when its first pick rolls around at No. 4 in Saturday morning's NAB AFL Draft.
The Power farewelled ruckmen Hugh Minson (retired) and Fabian Deluca (delisted) this year while premiership stars Brendon Lade and Dean Brogan are in the twilight of their careers.
But it seems less likely the club will use its highest-ever draft pick to secure gun Victoria Metro tall Tyrone Vickery.
Vickery, who recovered from a knee reconstruction to earn All-Australian honours this year, has been linked to the Power since October’s NAB AFL Draft Camp, but now appears to have slipped behind local talent Hamish Hartlett in calculations.
Hartlett, 18, was another stand-out in the under-18 championships, but sat out most of the draft camp after undergoing shoulder surgery.
West Australian hard nut Daniel Rich, long considered a top draft choice, could also be available if Fremantle has indeed changed its preference to Stephen Hill at selection three.
Adelaide recruiting manager Matthew Rendell revealed he would opt for Hartlett over Rich if faced with the decision and it’s possible Port Adelaide, who lost homesick star Nick Stevens in 2004, could also favour the South Australian native.
"We'll be going for who we think is the best player, not to fill a supposed need," Hartley told the Adelaide Advertiser.
"As I've always said, good players always find a spot in any team. As we go further down the draft we'll look at fixing needs if we have to."
The Power took 200cm running machine Matthew Lobbe with their first pick (16) in 2007 and Hartley was confident that he and developing big man Jon Giles could provide enough back-up for Lade and Brogan next year.
The club also invited former Sydney Swan and Port Adelaide Magpies ruckman James Meiklejohn to train with the squad in the lead-up to the draft.
"We're really confident with Matt Lobbe," Hartley said.
"People tend to forget that we took him with our first pick last year but he's ready to go. He's put on plenty of muscle and he's flying at training."
The Power, who made a whopping 12 changes to its senior and rookie lists, will have eight selections on Saturday – 4, 22, 38, 42, 54, 66, 78 and 84.
They will save their last pick for the NAB AFL Pre-Season Draft on December 16 to welcome back premiership hero Josh Carr.
Hartley said Saturday's draft would be "massive" for Port Adelaide.
"We've really set ourselves for this draft and put a lot of resources into it knowing that it could set us up for years ahead."
